Mayweather dominates McGregor in late rounds to go 50-0LAS VEGAS — Floyd Mayweather Jr. put on a show in the last fight of his spectacular career. Conor McGregor didn't do so badly, either. Mayweather figured out a 50th opponent Saturday night, letting McGregor have the early rounds before stalking him late and leaving the mixed martial artist defenseless and exhausted on the ropes in the 10th round. It was a smashing end to a career that earned Mayweather more money than any fighter before him — ...

Federer savors unexpected title over NadalMELBOURNE, Australia -- Roger Federer always believed he had more Grand Slam titles left in him. He just didn't think it would happen like this, playing in his first tournament following a six-month injury layoff. Or against his biggest rival in the game, Rafael Nadal. "I said that also before the finals: if I were to win against Rafa, it would be super special and very sweet because I haven't beaten him in a Grand Slam final for a long, long ...

Mallett all about football in backup roleOWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Ryan Mallett is a second-string quarterback making the most of a second chance. Mallett joined the Ravens in December after being cut two months earlier by Houston. Thrust almost immediately into a starting role, he carried Baltimore to a victory over Pittsburgh before throwing for 292 yards in a loss at Cincinnati. Now that Joe Flacco stands atop the depth chart again following offseason knee surgery, Mallett has returned...

Vikings cut ribbon at new football stadiumMINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph spent his first three seasons playing in the Metrodome, a cramped, dingy noise box that tested the patience of fans and players alike. The home locker room only had five bathroom stalls for 53 players and dozens of coaches and support staff. So when he walked around U.S. Bank Stadium, the Vikings' new $1.1 billion stadium that is set to open this season, he said comparing the two was like...

Local legend to enter Ditka's Gridiron GreatsRussellville legend Eddie Meador will be inducted into Mike Ditka’s Gridiron Greats Hall of Fame in Las Vegas on June 3 at the Silverton Casino and Hotel. Meador, who graduated from Russellville High School in 1955 as an All-Region and All-State football player and later went on to play for the Los Angeles Rams, will be inducted alongside Cliff Branch, Billy Kilmer, Daryle Lamonica, Don Maynard, Ed Flanagan, Dan Pastorini, Ron Jaworski, Robert...

Hocker signs 'futures contract' with BengalsFormer Russellville Cyclones and Arkansas Razorback kicker Zach Hocker could get another shot at the NFL next season. Hocker signed a "futures contract" with the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan. 5. A futures contract allows a team secure rights to a player if they think the player has potential, thus denying another team the opportunity to sign them. A team can sign futures contracts as soon as the team's season is over. A futures contract does not ...

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Courier sports staffThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Top 10 sports stories from 2015In the past, to celebrate the new year, The Courier has put together stories from the previous year that we thought were the most important. This year, we used our website (www.couriernews.com) to determine which sports stories truly had the widest reach. These are our top sports stories of 2015, according to user views. No. 10 — Carter’s touchdown Being bound to a wheelchair didn’t stop Carter Roach from scoring a 2-point conversion during a ...

Raptors play charity game on SaturdayThe Arkansas Raptors, a minor league football team based out of Russellville, will be holding a charity football game on Saturday at Cyclone Stadium to raise money for one of their players, whose house recently burned down. The Raptors, who play in the Developmental Central Football League (DCFL), will play the Arkansas Lions, a team based out of Fort Smith, at 3 p.m. Raptors co-owner and defensive end Junior Potts said the team just wanted to...

Saints release local kicker Zach HockerNEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints released former Russellville Cyclones and Arkansas Razorback kicker Zach Hocker on Monday after seven weeks in the NFL. Hocker missed field-goal attempts from 51 and 48-yards out during the Saints' win over the Falcons. Hocker also missed a 30-yard field goal attempt in Week 4 that would have given New Orleans a win over the Cowboys. The Saints went on to win that game in overtime, but Hocker's kicking came...

Hocker earns NFL roster spotNew Orleans Saints and former Russellville Cyclones kicker Zach Hocker didn't pray for his 53-yard kick against the Houston Texans to sail through the uprights on Aug. 30. But it did. He didn't pray for a spot on the Saints' 53-man roster after the preseason — but he got one. Hocker prayed for only one thing during the preseason as he went head-to-head against Dustin Hopkins for a starting spot on the team. "I prayed that the Lord's will be do...

Hocker earns NFL roster spotNew Orleans Saints and former Russellville Cyclones kicker Zach Hocker didn't pray for his 53-yard kick against the Houston Texans to sail through the uprights on Aug. 30. But it did. He didn't pray for a spot on the Saints' 53-man roster after the preseason — but he got one. Hocker prayed for only one thing during the preseason as he went head-to-head against Dustin Hopkins for a starting spot on the team. "I prayed that the Lord's will be do...

McFadden on board if Dallas replaces Murray by committee IRVING, Texas (AP) — Darren McFadden wants to be one of the replacements for NFL rushing champion DeMarco Murray. If he is one of two, or even three, running backs trying to match the production Murray gave NFC East champion Dallas last season, that's fine, too. McFadden is used to it. "It's something I've done pretty much throughout my career, at school or being with the Raiders," said McFadden, the fourth overall pick out of Arkansas by Oakl...

Hall drops NFL, returns to collegeIt’s not every day you get the opportunity to play football in the NFL, but former Russellville Cyclones lineman Matt Hall decided the career move was just not for him. Hall was picked up by the Denver Broncos from waivers on Monday after spending last season on the Indianapolis Colts’ injured reserve. Instead of reporting to practice, Hall informed the team that he was retired. “It’s hard to explain if you haven’t been in that kind of busines...

Former Cyclone Matt Hall retires from NFLDENVER — Former Russellville Cyclones and Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Matt Hall elected to retire rather than join the Denver Broncos on Tuesday. According to a report released by the Denver Post, Hall was claimed by the Broncos off waivers on Monday, but Hall's representatives informed the team he would not attend practice on Tuesday. Hall, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings in free agency in 2014, spent his first and only season ...

Former Cyclone Matt Hall retires from NFLDENVER — Former Russellville Cyclones and Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Matt Hall elected to retire rather than join the Denver Broncos on Tuesday. According to a report released by the Denver Post, Hall was claimed by the Broncos off waivers on Monday, but Hall's representatives informed the team he would not attend practice on Tuesday. Hall, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings in free agency in 2014, spent his first and only season ...

RHS History: Eddie MeadorThe Russellville High School (RHS) Class of 1955 graduated 60 years ago, and one of its student-athletes went on to become the most successful and decorated player in the annals of Cyclone football history. Eddie Doyle Meador, who celebrated his 78th birthday on Monday, became an All-American at Arkansas Tech University (ATU) and NFL All-Pro with the Los Angeles Rams. But before he achieved fame at the next level, Meador was multi-sport perfor...

Suns alum Silva shines at Pan-Am GamesTORONTO — Arkansas Tech Golden Suns basketball alum Rosie Silva continues to shine on the basketball court, turning in an outstanding performance for her native Venezuela in the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto. In four games, Silva averaged 21.5 points, four rebounds, and 3.5 steals per game. Venezuela faced a stiff challenge against eventual gold medal winner Canada, but Silva led her squad with 13 points, while grabbing four rebounds and three ...

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ATU Athletic CommunicationsThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Suns alum Silva shines at Pan-Am GamesTORONTO — Arkansas Tech Golden Suns basketball alum Rosie Silva continues to shine on the basketball court, turning in an outstanding performance for her native Venezuela in the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto. In four games, Silva averaged 21.5 points, four rebounds, and 3.5 steals per game. Venezuela faced a stiff challenge against eventual gold medal winner Canada, but Silva led her squad with 13 points, while grabbing four rebounds and three ...

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ATU Athletic CommunicationsThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley